Kauai is one of my favorite islands in Hawaii with incredible landscapes, beaches, waterfalls, and canyons. It really has it all! It also has some huge, expensive resorts but if you are looking for something more personal, intimate, and unique then you will be keen to check out this list of beautiful, boutique hotels on Kauai.
My personal favorites are Koa Kea Hotel & Resort for its top-notch service and pet friendliness and Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy for its full spa and massage services.
QUICK PICKS: MY 3 FAVORITE BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN KAUAI
Don’t have time to read my detailed breakdown of all the top boutique hotels on Kauai? No worries! These are my three FAVORITE unique places to stay in Kauai. If you book one of these three, you are guaranteed to have a great vacation in a great location!
COMPARISON LIST: UNIQUE BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN KAUAI
Here’s a table for my recommended boutique accommodation on Kauai:
| Boutique Hotels | Location | Rates |
| Koa Kea Hotel & Resort | Poipu | $389 |
| Garden Island Inn | Lihue | $178 |
| Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy | Kapaa | $203 |
| Hotel Coral Reef | Kapaa | $299 |
| The ISO | Kapaa | $143 |
| Kauai Shores Hotel | Kapaa | $149 |
| The Kauai Inn | Lihue | $146 |
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS ON KAUAI
You’re going to fall in love with some of the boutique hotels in Kauai found on this list. They are found in three different locations, such as Kapaa, Lihue, Poipu, as can be seen on the table above.
KOA KEA HOTEL & RESORT
Koa Kea Hotel & Resort (Service): Koa Kea Hotel & Resort is by far the best boutique 4-star resort on Kauai island. Not cheap but as I said this is Hawaii! It is a small resort yet equipped with everything you need. From its top-notch service the moment you set foot on the property to a wide range of services including several restaurants that serve savory cuisines.
Apart from being romantic and quiet, other things that make this property different from other luxury hotels are the fewer rooms which means more personalized service and pet-friendly. Yes, you can bring your four-legged travel buddy here and the rooms are even as luxurious as other high-end hotels. Beautifully maintained and appointed with lavish amenities such as a Nespresso coffee machine, an iPod docking station, and a TV. If that’s enough to convince you, the hotel offers daily cleaning services, a full spa, a yoga class, and a gym. Basically, Koa Kea Hotel & Resort is one of the classiest and best full-service boutique hotels on Kauai.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Koa Kea Hotel & Resort
KAUAI COAST RESORT AT THE BEACHBOY
Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy (Relaxation): Kick back and relax on Kauai’s picturesque shoreline and be pampered in the range of the resort amenities and services! What guests love about this property is its full spa and massage service, fitness center, and outdoor pool which gives a relaxing escape for both children and adults.
It’s a great value for money knowing that the property is close to some sightseeing sites, markets, and restaurants. Overall, the surrounding is immaculate and spotless! Couples rated this property highly because of its location and the pure relaxation it creates. It is a sure guarantee that once you come to know the place, you wouldn’t want to leave.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy
HOTEL CORAL REEF
Hotel Coral Reef (Location): This hotel takes its pride in giving guests good room conditions, superb service, excellent facilities, and amazing beach views. Yes, it’s not shortlisted with offerings! Being one of the most notable boutique hotels in town, it promises every guest a wonderful stay. Its 21 rooms have private lanais, free parking, use of bikes, BBQ grill, coffee, and tea. Operating for more than 60 years, absolutely they know how to put a smile on your face.
The staff is extremely helpful in arranging island tours. It isn’t the cheapest in town, but definitely a great deal when it comes to location- only 10-15 minutes away from the airport. Ideally, it is located both on the picturesque beach and historical town of Kapa’a that features a variety of unique stores and all of the best places to eat on Kauai. A highly recommended boutique hotel on Kauai with one of the top ratings among booking sites.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Hotel Coral Reef
THE ISO
The ISO (Value): Feel the laid-back vibe of the island in Kauai’s newest boutique hotel where the island and ocean meet the sky, your adventures start at The ISO. From yoga, Tai Chi, cycling to hiking, these are some of the activities that you can benefit from the property. Comprising 51 rooms in total, this place creates a homey feeling.
I personally liked the feeling of the night ocean breeze, that salty smell comes into my room when I left the sliding door open. The hammock, fire pit, and healthy breakfast are just other things that this property offers making it a great base for all types of travelers plus its value for money. Location-wise, you will never be left behind by the action-packed activities from nearby attractions, shops, and restaurants. I highly recommend staying at The ISO, one of the more local-styled boutique hotels on Kauai!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The ISO
KAUAI SHORES HOTEL
Kauai Shores Hotel (Family-Pick): An authentic Kauai adventure awaits you at this vibrant boutique hotel set on the east side of Kauai giving you a mix of contemporary and old-school surf vibe. The location is very convenient as it is between the North and South Shore, not far from the airport, and very close to Coconut Market Place. Apart from being beachfront, the property has two pools for you to chill after a tiring day of exploring. Also, there’s a fire pit on-site, free car rental, breakfast for two, and if yoga is your thing then they have it, too!
The room types are mixed from single, double, to family rooms with colorful, modern, and unique designs. Whether you book a pool view or an ocean view room, surely it won’t disappoint! I especially love the atmosphere of the hotel, it’s very casual and it has a social vibe. The Lava Lava Beach Club has great live music at night and doesn’t skip the happy hour. This is by far the most rated 3-star hotel among families and travelers on Kauai!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Kauai Shores Hotel
THE KAUAI INN
The Kauai Inn (Serene): Apparently one of the nicest places you can stumble in Lihue. This 3-star boutique accommodation is impeccably beautiful on its own terms. While other accommodations opted to be right beside the oceans, The Kauai Inn lies on the foot of the magnificent Haupa Mountains. Being in this place will give you the tranquility and the feel of old Hawaii with its luscious green surrounding and the beautiful mountain backdrop.
Its close proximity to the airport, covered BBQ facility, exciting activities such as kayaking and fishing, free continental breakfast are the top reasons why guests love to stay here. Not only that, but this place is also family-friendly and a great base camp for those who intend to linger a bit on the island. It may look secluded but surprisingly it is close to some attractions. Personally, this is a good place to unwind and enjoy the serenity without comprising much of the budget.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The Kauai Inn
GARDEN ISLAND INN
Garden Island Inn (Value): If you want quaint, artsy, and laid-back accommodation on Kauai, the Garden Island Inn is the ideal place for you! This inn has 25 well-adorned and cozy rooms with TVs, DVD’s and kitchenettes fitted with refrigerators and microwaves. And if you want to stay connected to the social media world, there’s Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas.
The location of the inn comes in handy as it is only a short walk to Nawiliwili Bay and Kalapaki Beach so grab your free snacks and beach gears from the property. Whether you want to do yoga, have a massage, or play volleyball on the beach, you’ll definitely have a great time. The staff is extremely helpful and attentive in providing guests’ needs. What I loved about this place is guests don’t need to pay for resort amenities which you can’t find in other boutique hotels. The complimentary local cuisine breakfast is out of the world. Without a doubt, I highly recommend this place!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Garden Island Inn
I really hope this blog post helped you select a unique boutique hotel on Kauai for your vacation. If you want to check out a few alternative options, I wrote this massive guide about the best spots to stay on Kauai: WHERE TO STAY ON KAUAI, HAWAII: BEST PLACES TO STAY
More Kauai Blog Posts
I spent an entire month exploring the island of Kauai. In particular, I was hiking all of the trails and made several guides for the best hikes and easiest hikes so you can enjoy the trails of the island.
North Shore Hiking Guide: 4 AWESOME HIKES ON THE NORTH SHORE OF KAUAI
Kauai Hiking Guide: 15 BEST HIKES ON KAUAI
Easy Hikes on Kauai: 8 EASY HIKES ON KAUAI WITH GREAT VIEWS
Cliff Jumping Guide to Kauai: BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS ON KAUAI
Open Door Helicopter Flight Kauai: EPIC DOORS OFF HELICOPTER TOUR OF KAUAI